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After tidying up the East Wing, it was almost time. Chen Feng went to the entrance of Fengyuan to pick up Dabao and Lu. Zhui Feng, Sasa, and Wangcai followed willingly, but when they greeted Qiqi and Gray, who were sulking on the roof, the birds raised their heads high, ignoring them. Faintly, Chen Feng could hear Qiqi muttering “ungrateful woman”, which frustrated her.
Feeling helpless, she regretted unintentionally offending the two picky birds.
For this trip to Dingzhou Prefecture, Chen Feng not only brought gifts for everyone but also for the pets. Just like before, she brought them food. However, upon seeing the generous “dowry” Sasa brought, Chen Feng felt she couldn’t act like certain malicious mother-in-laws of that era, simply accepting without showing any gratitude.
Therefore, she had Mrs. Zeng specially make a beautiful silver chain for Sasa at the silver shop. Sasa looked stunning with the silver chain, and Zhui Feng couldn’t stop admiring it. When Wangcai glanced at it a bit too long, Zhui Feng let out a howl, causing Wangcai to look away.
Noticing that Qiqi and Gray were displeased about not having a similar silver chain, feeling slighted, Chen Feng explained, “Sasa is female and loves beauty. You little ones are also competing over this, it’s quite embarrassing.”
Qiqi jumped and exclaimed, “Dabao is male!”
Gray chimed in, “Uncle is male!”
Chen Feng bought a necklace for both Dabao and Lu.
After their protests, they flew back to the roof together. Chen Feng noticed a glint of tears in their eyes. She felt guilty, she hadn’t expected her birds to be so intelligent, not just showing jealousy but even distinguishing between genders. If she had known earlier, she would have gotten them all silver chains, the money wasn’t an issue.
They stayed on the roof in a huff for an hour, still unwilling to come down.
Glancing to the side, Chen Feng saw Wang Laowu carrying a water bucket towards Luyuan to fetch water. Since their home was far from the village well, Chen Ming had instructed him to get water from Luyuan for daily use.
Seeing Chen Feng looking at him, Wang Laowu smiled and said, “Thank you, Young Miss.”
Chen Feng also brought some snacks for the servants and laborers, including Wang Laowu, having already instructed Shanzhi to deliver them.
Chen Feng chuckled and shook her head.
The side gate of Tangyuan opened, and Lu and Dabao walked out hand in hand. As soon as they saw Chen Feng, they both ran towards her with outstretched legs.
While running, Dabao shouted, “Mother, you haven’t come to pick me up in days!”
He was so excited his tongue couldn’t even stay straight. Thinking of some overly doting mothers in her past life, Chen Feng felt that separate sleeping arrangements were necessary.
Chen Feng lifted up the approaching Dabao, planting several kisses on his little face. She thought to herself, she should cherish these moments while he’s still young because as he grows older, it wouldn’t be the same. Just like today, when he grows up, separate beds would be a must. Perhaps, before he even reached that age, he might be taken away.
Dabao giggled and returned the kisses to his mother.
Chen Feng then said to Chen Lu, “Let’s go to your sister’s house for dinner. Tonight, I’m going to make scallion oil noodles with minced pork.”
Chen Lu grinned widely, “It’s been a while since I’ve had these noodles.”
Since life had improved at home, they hadn’t enjoyed these simple but delicious noodles, a remnant from their poorer days.
Excited about having this nostalgic meal, Dabao mimicked his mother by making scissor hand gestures.
While Chen Feng prepared the noodles in the kitchen, Lu and Dabao played with the dogs in the yard. Dabao looked up and said to Qiqi and Gray, “Come down quickly, I’ll give you some crushed peanuts.”
Qiqi and Gray tilted their heads even higher, ignoring him, feeling envious of his attention.
The noodles were quickly cooked, serving as an early dinner for the day.
After a few bites, Dabao and Lu found the noodles not as tasty as they remembered. Dabao looked up and asked, “Mother, did Sister Summer make these noodles? Hers don’t taste as good as yours.”
Chen Feng explained, “No, I made these noodles, Summer just helped with the cooking.”
“Why do they taste different from Sister’s noodles?” Chen Lu wondered.
Chen Feng explained, “Back when our family didn’t eat well, you thought these noodles were the best delicacy. Now that our days have improved, with chicken, duck, and fish every day, your taste buds have become more refined, which may be why you don’t find it as delicious as before. Think about it, how long has it been since we had these noodles?” Chen Feng answered her own question, “It’s been over a year. At that time, Dabao was only this tall, A’Lu had a limp, and I hadn’t fully recovered.”
Dabao sighed, “Life passes quickly, like a white horse passing a crevice in the rock.”
Chen Lu added a proverb, “The past is gone like a fleeting shadow, without regard for day or night.”
Looking at them, Chen Feng remarked, “Time flies. In the blink of an eye, you’ve both grown up, turning into young men studying and learning alongside your teacher.”
Remembering the hardships of the past, both boys suddenly found the noodles very delicious and finished their bowls.
After Chen Lu left, Chen Feng took Dabao to the East Wing bedroom and pointed inside, saying, “You’ve grown up and can’t sleep in the same room as Mother anymore. This is your bedroom, you’ll rest here from now on.”
This news came as a shock to Dabao. Initially stunned, he then burst out crying, “Mother, why are you doing this? Don’t you want your son anymore?”
Wiping his tears, Chen Feng reassured him, “How could Mother not want her son? You’ve grown up, and it’s time for us to live separately. Look at your uncle, he lives alone in the East Wing. And little Yan, Luo Ming Cheng, and Luo Mei, they all live separately from their parents…”
Dabao cried, “Sizixi is two years older than me and still sleeps with her parents, why can’t I? You promised to always hold my hand, always be good to me, but now you’ve changed your mind… Although my uncle lives alone in the East Wing, Grandpa and Grandma live together. Even adults are afraid to live alone, shouldn’t children be even more scared… I should have been a good son to you… waaah… How about we wait until I’m seven to separate?”
Dabao cried and pleaded, coming up with various reasons and finally resorting to a strategic retreat.
Chen Feng explained various reasons, assuring him that she would never stop loving him and would always be good to him. Having him sleep alone was because she loved him and wanted him to grow into a responsible and successful man, among other things.
As Chen Feng spoke until the moon was high, Dabao’s voice grew hoarse from crying.
Seeing that his mother had made up her mind, Dabao knew his protests wouldn’t change anything and reluctantly agreed. However, he made a request, “Mother, wait until I fall asleep before leaving, so I can feel like you’ve been sleeping with me. Please don’t leave me.”
Hearing his hoarse voice, Chen Feng felt sorry and agreed, “Okay.”